Fecal microbiota transplantation in recurrent Clostridium difficile infection: A retrospective single‐center chart review

• Published in: JGH open 2019-02, Vol.3 (1), p.4-9
• Main Authors: Kim, Pamela, Gadani, Akash, Abdul‐Baki, Heitham, Mitre, Ricardo, Mitre, Marcia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibiotics; Clostridium difficile; Colonoscopy; Cytomegalovirus; diarrhea; fecal microbiota transplantation; Feces; Hospitals; Infections; Inflammatory bowel disease; Laboratories; Microbiota; Original; Patients; Transplants & implants
• ISSN: 2397-9070; 2397-9070
• DOI: 10.1002/jgh3.12093

Background and Aim Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been proposed as a treatment option for patients with recurrent Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection but remains a novel option. We examined if FMT is an effective means of treating recurrent C. difficile infection. Methods A retrospective review of 35 patients who underwent FMT was completed. Demographics and other variables, including the use of proton pump inhibitor therapy and history of inflammatory bowel disease, were collected. Results Twenty‐five patients (71.4%) belonged to a high‐risk population (working in a hospital setting, rehabilitation center, or nursing facility) and a total of 74.3% of patients (n = 26 patients) had no history of proton pump inhibitor use. Twenty‐five patients (71.4%) had used metronidazole prior to transplantation, 35 patients (100%) had used vancomycin, and 7 patients (20%) had used fidaxomicin for prior infection. Four patients (11.4%) had used all three antibiotics during prior treatment. Of the eight patients who had a history of inflammatory bowel disease, six (75%) experienced resolution of symptoms after transplantation. A total of 30 patients (85.7%) had resolution of their symptoms 6–8 weeks’ posttransplant, while 5 patients (14.3%) continued to have symptoms. Conclusions Our retrospective chart review supports that patients benefit from FMT in the setting of recurrent C. difficile infection. Recurrent Clostridium difficile infections are becoming more prevalent, and new methods of treatment are being encouraged, such as fecal microbiota transplantation. In our manuscript, we show that fecal microbiota transplantation is an effective means of treating recurrent Clostridium difficile infections.